Four of the Best Places for Smoke Detectors in Your Home

Proper smoke detector placement impacts your safety in the event of a house fire. These devices alert you when smoke is present in your home, and their location determines how rapidly they will detect smoke. Understanding the best places for smoke detectors in your home is essential for smart home fire safety.

Why You Need to Know the Best Places for Smoke Detectors in Your Home

When a fire breaks out in your home, having a few extra seconds to get out of the home can make the difference between life and death. Fires can spread quickly and send smoke through your home in an instant. Smoke inhalation can be just as dangerous and as the fire itself. Where you place your smoke detectors will determine how quickly you’re alerted to a fire in your home. Read on to learn about the best places for smoke detectors in your home.

1. Near or In the Laundry Room

A common and frequently overlooked cause of house fires is from a build-up of dryer lint. When you turn on the dryer and walk away from the laundry room, you will not able to smell smoke generated in this area right away. Place a smoke detector in the laundry room or immediately outside of it to better protect your home in case of a fire. Consider linking your smoke detectors so that all emit audible alerts at the same time when triggered.

2. Close to the Kitchen

Placing a fire detector in your kitchen may seem smart. After all, many fires are caused by cooking on the stove or in the oven. However, normal cooking activities also produce smoke. When the smoke detector is installed in the kitchen and too close to your cooking appliances, false alarms are common. One of the best places for smoke detectors in your home is close to the kitchen, but at least 10 feet away from the stove and oven.

3. In Hallways and Bedrooms

Install a smoke detector in each bedroom and in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. The reason for this placement is because bedroom doors are often closed. Since a fire can start on either side of a closed bedroom door, it’s important to have a smoke detector inside and outside of the room. By placing detectors in both locations, you will be alerted quickly regardless of where the fire is located.

4. Overhead

Smoke naturally rises and will billow thickly overhead before it accumulates closer to the ground. The best location for a smoke detector to rapidly detect smoke is on a ceiling or high on the wall close to the ceiling. Because airflow from a vent may push smoke away from the detector, place the unit strategically away from air vents.

Just as you need to know the best places for smoke detectors in your home, you also should think about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of a home following the same guidelines as smoke detectors. As you update your home safety efforts, consider the proper location for both types of detectors. The batteries in all detectors should be tested every six months and replaced annually or as needed.